TOHORA

THE FIRST TOHORA

Motuti Marae carving depicts the story

Tohora have played an important part in the history of Te Rarawa when Nukuwhiti the captain of the waka Ngatokimatawhaorua and Mamari captain Ruanui landed and established their settlements in the Hokianga.

Nukutawhiti completed his settlement first at Pouahi on the northern shores and waited for Ruanui to complete his on the southern shores at Araiteuru so that they could conduct their dedication rites together.

The priests chanted incantations to compel a huge whale to enter the harbour and beach itself as a sacrifice.

When Nukutawhiti realised this, he ordered his priests to perform chants to send the whale back toward the open sea. Ruanui’s prayers finally ran out and the crew of the Māmari had to leave the Hokianga.

This is remembered in the name Hokianga-whakapau-karakia (Hokianga where incantations were exhausted).